Chapter 8- Escape And Surprise  SERENA'S POV 

 Even though there was a chill in the night that pricked my skin I was didn't notice it at all.

I was so terrified.

I could see them as I looked down the window. They were looking for me, everyone was looking for me.

All I had time to do was breathe and have faith in Derrick.

 But no matter how hard I try to tell myself that it's fine and I shouldn't be scared, my heart pounded and I wonder what would happen to my child and I if we were eventually caught.

Everyone was at risk from my very existence.

“ I hate this.” I muttered to myself,my voice trembling and I wanted to cry. 

Despite all of this craziness,.Derrick turned to face me his dark eyes maintaining their signature expression. 

He was calm which I currently envied. “ Don't say that.” He said. “ We would be leaving tonight because theyll be searching all over for you.”

I swallowed hard and said .”I know.” I sniffed and gave a small nod.

I hated myself that very moment .

Derrick threw some clothes to me.

The clothing which was plain and rough and belonged to male slaves.

“I'm I wearing this?” I asked, staring at the clothes in mild disgust.

“Yes,.you would disguise as Kono, my male slave.”

When Derrick had finished adjusting the cloak, he had given me to cover my hair I looked up at him. 

Even in this terrible situation, he was always so dependable and so calm like all this meant nothing to him.

“ I know you don't like it.” He said,his voice carried a hint of understanding. “ But it's just for your safety.”

I nodded, biting my lip to keep the fear from returning. 

“I have no problem wearing this.” I lied,  my voice hardly audible above a whisper.

 I didn't want to appear as weak and I didn't want to start crying too.

I needed him more than I had ever needed anyone. With a nod, he drew my attention to that tiny smile that always gave me hope that everything would be alright. 

“Alright.” He said. “ I think we are ready now.”

I gave a stiff nod and prayed that he doesn't see the tears threatening to fall.

I pulled the hood over my face. He walked to the door, stopped and then turned to face me again. 

“Just follow my lead.”

I nodded and almost silently, I followed him closely. As we walked down the dimly lit hallways, dodging guards, servants and anyone else who might have noticed us, my heart kept hammering.

 I prayed silently to the moon goddess that this should be successful else we might get caught.

We arrived at the gates— the pack gates—the walls that had always kept me safe once might hold me back now. 

I almost peed on my pants when I saw the stream faces of the guards but I stood tall just like a man would and frowned.

Derrick voice was calm and smooth and the guards at the entrance didn't seem to recognize me. 

“My male slave and I. “

A quick conversation followed by a nod. The gates creaked open causing my breath to catch in my throat and my heart to stop. 

“You can leave.” the guard said, his eyes still unfocused .  

I couldn't turn around as we entered the gates. I might shatter and lose the strength I was holding onto if I did. 

Derrick believed in me even though I wasn't sure I could trust myself at the moment. 

 But I was happy that we were out safe and the guards at the gates hadn't suspected anything.

 Derrick's presence at my side was the only thing keeping me rooted even though every step felt like I was going to faint.

“Where are we going?” I asked my voice brimming with emotion that I was unable to control 

“To where they can't find you.”  he stated plainly his voice steady. “ Don't worry,Serena, you are coming with me to my pack and you would be safe there.”

I gave a small nod and walked closely behind him, the night was so dark because there were no moon and even the slightest noise of crickets made me almost jump out of my skin.

I don't know why I was trusting Derrick but I knew that he was now my friend and would never harm me but the thought of been a rogue all of a sudden made me want to cry.

“I don't want to be a rogue.”Suddenly the words came out of my mouth

 It wasnt clear to me how much I needed to say but it was there.” I don't want to be what they claim I am. “

 Derrick halted his pace and looked at me with a fierce protective look.

 He took my hand and said firmly.

“ You are not a rogue. . You are the person Im trying to save Serena.  I don't know what happened to you before I met you but I would keep you safe , it's fine if you don't want to come to my pack, I can take you somewhere safe. “

 I felt a tear fall down my cheek as I closed my eyes but I chose not to wipe it away. I let it slide. I allowed the emotion I had been suppressing to explode in front of him

It seemed like I was turning into a rogue every minute even though I wasn't one. I had no idea what remained after my world was being ripped apart piece by piece. 

All I knew was that I had to keep going. I had to have faith in Derrick. 

“I would come to your owck.” I said hardly raising my voice above a whisper.” But I'm scared.”

“ I understand.” he muttered quietly. 

I clung to them and to him as we drew further away from the pack and everything that had previously felt familiar and maybe just maybe the moon goddess would keep me safe.